diff --git a/optional/clamav/Dockerfile b/optional/clamav/Dockerfile
index bfe02780..a0a67749 100644
--- a/optional/clamav/Dockerfile
+++ b/optional/clamav/Dockerfile
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ COPY start.py /
 RUN echo $VERSION >/version
 
 #EXPOSE 3310/tcp
-HEALTHCHECK --start-period=350s CMD echo PING|nc localhost 3310|grep "PONG"
+HEALTHCHECK CMD kill -0 `cat /run/clamd.pid` && kill -0 `cat /run/freshclam.pid`
 
 VOLUME ["/data"]
 
diff --git a/towncrier/newsfragments/2811.bugfix b/towncrier/newsfragments/2811.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..688b766f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/towncrier/newsfragments/2811.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Healthcheck of clamav image created zombie processes